Abstract: An interactive input system comprises an interactive surface, an illumination source projecting light onto the interactive surface such that a shadow is cast onto the interactive surface when a gesture is made by an object positioned between the illumination source and the interactive surface, at least one imaging device capturing images of a three-dimensional (3D) space in front of the interactive surface, and processing structure processing captured images to detect the shadow and object therein, and determine therefrom whether the gesture was performed within or beyond a threshold distance from the interactive surface and execute a command associated with the gesture.

Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) interactive input system comprises a holographic image generator defining an enclosed space to accommodate a 3D object and configured to generate a holographic image of the 3D object that appears adjacent an input region of the holographic image generator. A projection unit is configured to project image data onto the 3D object, the image data projected onto the 3D object appearing on the holographic image. A sensing unit is configured to detect user proximity to the input region. Processing structure is configured to process sensing unit output and in response, update image data projected by the projection unit.

Abstract: A tool tray for an interactive input system comprises a housing having an upper surface defining at least one receptacle sized to receive a tool for interacting with an interactive surface, a sensor configured to detect the presence of the tool within the receptacle and at least one display in communication with the sensor. The display is configured to present a pointer attribute selection screen upon removal of the tool from the receptacle.

Abstract: A gesture recognition method comprises capturing images, processing the images to identify at least two clusters of touch points associated with at least two pointers, recognizing a gesture based on motion of the clusters, and updating a display in accordance with the recognized gesture.

Abstract: An interactive input system includes an interactive surface, at least one proximity sensor positioned in proximity with the interactive surface; and processing structure communicating with the sensor and processing sensor output from the at least one proximity sensor for detecting a user in proximity with the interactive surface. A method of providing input into an interactive input system having an interactive surface includes communicating sensor output from at least one proximity sensor positioned in proximity with the interactive surface to processing structure of the interactive input system; and processing the sensor output for detecting a user located in proximity with the interactive surface.

Abstract: An interactive input system comprises a display surface and processing structure communicating with the display surface. The processing structure presents on the display surface at least one graphic object, the graphic object having properties and a respective solution state comprising a value of at least one property. The processing structure in response to gesture input manipulates the value of the at least one property, and provides an indication as to whether the graphic object is in its solution state in response to the application of a predetermined amount of pressure against the display surface in association with the graphic object. A method and computer readable medium are also provided.

Abstract: A method of calibrating an interactive input system comprises receiving images of a calibration video presented on a touch panel of the interactive input system. A calibration image is created based on the received images, and features are located in the calibration image. A transformation between the touch panel and the received images is determined based on the located features and corresponding features in the calibration video.

Abstract: A method for selecting a graphic widget displayed on a background of an interactive input system comprises tracking one or more touch points associated with the background, and in the event that one or more touch points coincide with a location of the graphic widget, associating the coinciding touch points with the graphic widget.

Abstract: A touch panel for an interactive input system and interactive input system incorporating the touch panel is provided. The touch panel includes an optical waveguide layer and a resilient diffusion layer. The resilient diffusion layer is against the optical waveguide layer and causes light traveling within the optical waveguide layer to escape only when compressed against the optical waveguide layer at one or more touch points.

Abstract: A method for handling a user request in a multi-user interactive input system comprises receiving a user request to perform an action from one user area defined on a display surface of the interactive input system and prompting for input from at least one other user via at least one other user area. In the event that input concurring with the user request is received from another user area, the action is performed.